There’s no understating how important a couch is to your everyday life. It’s the foundation of your living room design palette, the gathering spot for your friends and family to enjoy quality time, and a comfortable place to rest after a long day. They don’t last forever though, unfortunately.
A quality sofa should stay in good condition for many years—on average, between seven to 15 years—but how do you know when time is up? Whether your couch no longer fits your style or space, or simply has seen better days, there are plenty of warning signs to pay attention to.
By investing in a well-made, timeless piece that feels personal to you, your space can naturally evolve with you for many years.
With the help of a few experts, we’ve broken down six signs it’s time to ditch your current couch and indulge in an upgrade—hopefully, one that you’ll love for years (and years) to come.
Your Couch No Longer Functions For Your Needs
If the good old days of solo nights winding down on the couch are long gone—and maybe you’ve exchanged them for bouncing a baby on your knee and hosting overnight guests—you’ll need your couch to function in different ways.
It’s Simply Not Comfortable
The primary purpose of a couch is to provide a comfortable spot to sit back, kick your feet up, and enjoy family movie night. If you find yourself with an achy back after a couch session, it’s time to go furniture shopping.
You Hear Cracking Noises
Cracking or popping sounds are a sign that the wood frame of your sofa or the springs or webbing in the seat deck are compromised. Not only can that impact your ability to sit back and relax—poky springs and uneven surfaces don’t go hand-in-hand with comfort—but it can potentially be unsafe. Time to upgrade.
After Moving, Your Old Couch Doesn’t Fit Your New Space
Moving to a new home is the perfect opportunity to assess the furniture that surrounds you. Chances are, your new space will include different design challenges and layout proportions from your current space—a long and skinny living room, perhaps, or hard-to-work-around entryways. Your old couch simply might not fit or be conducive to your new home.
The Upholstery Is Beyond Repair
Couches see it all—sun damage, wayward glasses of red wine, pet accidents, you name it. While a little bit of wear and tear is to be expected, sometimes, a couch simply can’t recover, especially if rips and holes have exposed foam, stuffing, or feathers.
A good professional cleaning can work wonders for a sofa, but if the fabric is torn or faded, there isn’t much that can be done. It’s best to start fresh in that scenario.
As you’re shopping for a new couch, it’s important to choose a fabric that will hold up over time, sticky peanut butter finger stains and cat scratches included. Selecting a fabric that is spill-resistant, stain-resistant, and anti-scratch will save you both headaches and dollars over time.
You Panic Purchased—And You Hate It
You’re not alone: most of us have made at least one big purchase that we regret. In that case, consider reselling your couch using a neighborhood app, or researching a local charity to donate it to.